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(a textual follow-on from the last post, and a step-by-step on the ‘caviar’ micro bead manicure)

“The inspiration behind the Caviar Manicure came about when I was looking to create three-dimensional nails for a cover shoot and wanted to develop something feminine, indulgent yet delicately extravagant,” said Ciaté’s creative director Charlotte Knight.

The evolution of textured nail polish has naturally guided us through a town area of stick on transfers, a village of furry add-ons to a city of…Beads!
As soon as I saw a picture of micro beads on nails, I loved it! At first, when I saw the word ‘caviar’…I thought – “are you kiddin’ me?!” Do we not use living creatures and their…parts, enough?!
Then I did some research and realized, okay – it’s just small beads people, it’s just small beads. Phew!
I prefer simplifying the look of textured, statement nails by applying the effect to a special finger nail, like ‘texting bling’ fingers trend.

FOILING,STICKERS/DECALS AND TRANSFERS
Great as they’re simple and fast! You can spice up an outfit, or add a bit of an edge!

MATTE
Textured nails have had a lot of limelight of late, we had matte nails. They were one of the first kinds of polish with a completely different texture from the normal polish.

CRACKLE
Then there was crackle, or ‘shatter’. Crackle first emerged in basic colors like black, gold, and silver, but now there are lots of variations and tones, including neons. I myself am not a huge fan of shatter/crackle nails, I prefer a cleaner look. But I like the way other people wear it sometimes.

MAGNETIC
Magnetic polishes are another choice buy as they offer just that…Choice! You can customize your own nails via different designs with a magnet. The majority of magnetic polishes are available in dark chrome colours due to the silver magnetic particles in the polish.

CAVIAR
Caviar nails as we now know, do NOT consist of dipping your wet finger nails in fish eggs. This is a vegan page people!
These manicures are too cute. Ciate has been the leading pioneer of the manicure by selling kits that have everything you need via Sephora (and thankfully – ebay!). Though it was first spotted on the runways at Cushnie et Ochs’ fall ’11 show. However, you do not need to purchase the whole pricey kit from Ciate as I did. You can find micro beads in craft stores, on ebay, and on etsy!
You can go one step further and commit to ‘bling ring’ finger ‘text’ jewelry too, Kawaii style!

VELVET
Not long after the Caviar polishes came out, Ciate came out with velvet. I need to get me one of these sets, stat!

SPOTTED
In France, OPI Black Spotted emerged! Being a part of the OPI’s Amazing Spiderman Collection, this polish was and still is the only one of its kind and exclusively available in European countries. A little like shatter/crackle but with more control it seems. Red and black would look great for Halloween. As you a white base with a blood-red spotted effect!

RUBBER
The latest addition to the texture family is rubber! Created by Illamasqua. They came out with the Theater of the Nameless collection which had rubber finishes last year. Then last month they came out with Limited Edition Rubber Brights, a neon collection with a rubber finish.

I am really in holographics too! Teaming this with a ‘Galaxy-scenescape’ dress would look beautiful. ASOS and etsy have quite a few right now.

Caviar nails – step-by-step

Grab the following:
• Base coat (I just use the same as the chosen ‘opaque’ one below.
• Opaque nail polish (no shimmer) – a nice candy pink works well for this, but go ahead and choose your own shade
• Micro beads (available at most craft stores, you don’t to shell out on Ciate or other brand names). Go ahead and experiment with sizes too. Although I’ve heard that the smaller they are, the longer they’ll last on your nail.
• Top coat – JUST to seal around the END of your nail, not over the whole thing. It’ll look slimy.

STEP 1
First, apply one layer of base coat on completely bare nails (you can use fake nails, and you can use a colour polish…I did!) and let it dry.

STEP 2
Apply a generous second coat of colour to one hand/nail – I’d do it nail by nail – and let the polish get tacky for 10 seconds. Then, over a sheet of paper, a cup, or a plastic tray (in the Ciate set you’ll get the tray with it), pour the micro beads over your nail, ensuring you coat the entire surface of your nail bed like glitter over glue.

STEP 3
When the nail is entirely covered, use the pad of your finger to press and secure the caviar beads. Repeat on each nail. Go ahead and sprinkle some more beads if they are any gaps.
I don’t like the nail to look too wide, and when you sprinkle beads on it, it can do sometimes. I use a cuticle pusher or a cocktail stick to push the beads away from the very edges of each side of the nail. It creates a cleaner line.

STEP 4
Pour the excess beads back into the jar to save for later…And don’t accidentally knock the pots over with your fingers – trying to be careful when you’re actually being more clumsy…Like me. And then apply a tiny drop of top coat along your nail tip to seal the caviar. The look should last two or three days before the beads start to fall.

And…Yep! Just as I expected…Good enough to eat!
At sometimes you do…Accidentally, dosh darn lil’ beadlings!

Dubai Roller Derby

The Closet

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Caviar Nails

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